0426. 418. Happiness

418. Happiness

Many a trite thing is heard in an omnibus. Riding along Whitechapel Road in a motor bus, an east-ender greeted the conductor in a sarcastic way, as he looked at his beaming face, by saying, “Whatever makes you look so happy?”

With a lightning retort the conductor replied, “It’s what I’m looking at that makes me look so happy.”

The writer complimented the official upon his reply, and the man said, “Yes, when a fool greets you that way the only way to down him is to give him biting sarcasm back.”

Although the reply of the conductor was witty sarcasm, we may use it to a profitable end, for when our outlook is right, our inward condition will answer to it. The following instances which describe happy conditions are to the point.

1. Source of Happiness. “Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help” (Psa_146:5). When we are helped by God we are in a happy condition.

2. Receivers of Happiness. “Happy is that people whose God is the Lord” (Psa_144:15). When Jehovah the Unchanging One is our God, every case is met by Him.

3. Soul of Happiness. “Happy art thou, O Israel… people saved by the Lord” (Deu_33:29). When we are saved by the Lord we cannot help being happy with Him.

4. Meaning of Happiness. “Happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee” (Psa_128:2). These are twin blessings which come to the one who fears the Lord and walks in His ways.

5. Feeders of Happiness. “Happy are ye if ye do them” (Joh_13:17). So our Lord declares to those who do the things of His example.

6. Helper of Happiness. When “for righteousness sake” we suffer for Christ, the Lord says “happy are ye” (1Pe_3:14).

7. Condition to Happiness. “Whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he” (Pro_16:20), for he that trusteth in the Lord brings everything to Him in prayer, and thus finds God comes into everything in power.

By: DR. F. E. MARSH